Many people know the O. Henry story, "The Gift of the Magi." But few know the story of O. Henry himself. Texas' Lyric Stage hopes to rectify that with a holiday presentation of the world premiere musical, A Christmas to Remember, running Dec. 2-16 at the Irving Arts Center.

Many people know the O. Henry story, "The Gift of the Magi." But few know the story of O. Henry himself. Texas' Lyric Stage hopes to rectify that with a holiday presentation of the world premiere musical, A Christmas to Remember, running Dec. 2-16 at the Irving Arts Center.

A North Carolinian who lived most of his life in and around Austin, Texas, Porter had a difficult time of it, marred by the death of his wife from consumption and a prison term for embezzeling funds from the First National Bank of Austin. Through these trials, he emerged as the writer, O. Henry, the best-loved American short story writer of his time. When he died an alcoholic in 1910, he left behind "A Retrieved Reformation," "The Ransom of Red Chief" and "The Caballero's Way," among 300 other tales.